Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has ditched the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), setting the stage for a potential showdown with Governor Susan Kihika in the 2027 General Election.
Karanja announced the political switch on Friday, October 9, 2026, declaring that she would vie for the Nakuru governorship on a DCP ticket following what she described as consultations with residents across the county.
The senator said her decision was driven by calls from residents who had urged her to challenge Kihika for the county’s top seat, insisting that the electorate, rather than political party leaders, would determine her next political move.
Speaking during the announcement, Karanja said she had listened to the concerns of residents during her visits across Nakuru and was ready to heed their demands.
“People have told me that they appreciate what that woman has done, but they keep asking where I am. I have listened to you, and I know you are my bosses,” she said, mixing Kiswahili and English.
She added that residents had specifically encouraged her to listen to the political mood on the ground before making a decision on the governorship.
“From today, you can see that everything is green. I will vie for that seat on a DCP ticket. I want to tell my partner that I have listened to the ground,” Karanja said.
Karanja’s Move Reshapes Nakuru Politics
The declaration marks a significant shift for Karanja, who was previously associated with UDA, the ruling party under President William Ruto.
Her decision to join DCP places her in a new political camp as she prepares to pursue the governorship, potentially setting up a contest against Kihika, who currently occupies the seat.
The move also introduces a party realignment dimension to the emerging Nakuru race, with Karanja seeking to build her gubernatorial ambitions outside the ruling party.
However, the extent of her support within DCP and the political alliances that may emerge ahead of the election remain to be seen.
Residents’ Calls at the Centre of Her Bid
Karanja framed her decision as a response to public demand, portraying residents as the people to whom she ultimately answers despite her position in the Senate.
Her remarks suggest that she intends to make grassroots consultations a central feature of her campaign as the race for the 2027 elections takes shape.
The senator’s challenge will be to translate the support she says she has encountered during her county visits into a clear political platform, including proposals on service delivery, development priorities and accountability in Nakuru.
For voters, the emerging contest could bring renewed attention to the county government’s record and the competing plans candidates present for Nakuru’s future.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, Karanja’s declaration adds another dimension to the county’s political contest.
The focus now shifts to how she will organise her campaign, the alliances she will build and how Governor Kihika responds to the emerging challenge.
